Impending Demolition of Wasaga Beach One

With all of the discussions of impending demolition at Beach One and the upcoming public meeting to ask questions about the re-development of this area, I thought it was very important to review some important facts.

People are picking sides in regards to accepting a current plan or in standing behind previous plans. I personally have said, and I will repeat…. I don’t agree with either “plan” being touted. I think the focus should be on public services and entertainment. Let housing go to where housing belongs.

But here is the thing… many of the opinions being thrown around about previous plans use photos or information from a well written “Streetscape study” that was presented to Council in May of 2022. (Link- Attached to this discussing)

I felt it was a great report for two specific reasons. First it provided me with insight into aspects of planning that I had not considered. Many of these aspects may seem trivial to many, but they are truly important to success. Next, it provided focus on elements of the “planning” that I recognized should be used as guiding principals in moving forward.

In post after post here on social media, People supporting the Mayors current plans (for a possible hotel and townhouses being built after selling off public property) criticize the plans of the previous Council and claim they had blocks and blocks of big buildings. They have repeatedly described it as a “Wall of CONDO’s”.

I don’t ever recall the developers getting to that stage of “planning”. I believe this guiding document actually made it quite clear that a community/ activity focused strategy was identified by Council. It had public spaces, a bustling event ready promenade and even a “festival square”. These should remain as key elements in any future plans.

Read the report. Learn the language. Form the important questions…. See you on the 19th!